Gbagbo’s Ivory Coast home under heavy attack

HEAVY arms fire rang out near the home of Ivory Coast’s incumbent president, who remained holed up in a subterranean bunker, as forces backing his rival assaulted the residence in an effort to force him out.

Forces protecting Laurent Gbagbo appeared to rally last night, pushing back the armed group fighting to install democratically elected president Alassane Ouattara.

One of Ouattara’s fighters, Yves Doumbia, said their forces breached the gates of the ruler’s compound in Abidjan, only to be repelled by heavy fire. “We retreated but we are preparing for a second assault,” he said.